Compare Eversource Electricity Rates in New Hampshire
Residential and commercial customers living in New Hampshire are allowed to compare electricity rates and switch to an alternative retail energy supplier. In 1996, the New Hampshire Legislature enacted RSA-374-F, which required the Public Utilities Commission to develop a statewide restructuring plan to implement energy choice across the state. Utility companies such as Eversource, act as the supplier of last resort and provide energy services to customers that choose not to shop around. The main job of Eversource is to maintain the lines and wires to safely deliver the electricity to the point of service.
Eversource is New England’s largest local distribution company, delivering energy to more than 3.7 million electric and natural gas customers. The company’s service area in New Hampshire includes more than 211 towns and covers more than 5,628 square miles.
Why Shop for a Retail Energy Supplier?
New Hampshire Eversource customers’ that shop around for a competitive energy supplier have the opportunity to lock in a much lower rate than what is being offered by the utility company. Eversource is required to act as the supplier of last resort and provides a standard service generation rate for customers that choose not to shop around. The standard service generation rate is often not competitive. This rate is not fixed and subject to change leaving customers exposed to the volatility of the energy market.
Residential and business customers can lock in a long term fixed rate with a competitive energy supplier that will protect them against any increase in the market. The market is extremely competitive and energy suppliers may offer a much lower rate just to earn your business. This level of competition tends to push down energy prices across the board. It is not uncommon for customers in deregulated energy markets that choose to shop around to save 10-20 percent.
What Will Change on My Electric Bill?
New Hampshire residents that switch to a competitive energy supplier will still receive one electric bill from Eversource. The only thing that will change is the lower supply rate that shows up on the bill! Eversource will continue to charge the delivery cost. This is the regulated portion of the bill and cannot be changed. Since the delivery and supply charges are incorporated on the same bill, the customer will not have to make a separate payment to the energy supplier. This method of billing is known as single billing and is the most common and preferred.
The supply rate in the above sample bill is 14.12 cents per kWh.
What Happens at the End of My Term?
When a customer has reached the end of the contract term, it is common for the energy supplier to put the customer on a variable month-to-month rate. Once this happens, the rate can easily increase. It is strongly recommended to avoid any month-to-month variable rates. If the customer wishes to go back to Eversource, they will need to contact the retail energy supplier and cancel the term after it expires. By default, once the term expires the customer will automatically be transferred back to Eversource. It is important not to cancel before the expiration of the term, as most suppliers will charge the customer an early cancellation fee.
Energy comparison sites, such as ElectricRateSelect, will provide the customers with a notification when the energy term is near expiring, along with a list of competitive energy suppliers to choose from. If the customer signs up with a new energy supplier, the switch will automatically happen once the initial term expires. This gives the customer the satisfaction of knowing they will always be provided the lowest energy rates on the market!